Extensible pocket for sliding doors



Feb. 10, 1970 Y w. R. TODD 3,494,076

EXTENSIBLE POCKET FOR SLIDING DOORS Fled Feb. 2. 1968 3+ l /4 l NVENDR Wallace R Todd Fi@ 3 l ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,494,076 EXTENSIBLE POCKET FOR SLIDING DOORS Wallace R. Todd, 3123 Cartwright, Dallas, Tex. 75212 Filed Feb. 21, 1968, Ser. No. 707,080 Int. Cl. E06b 1/04; E05f 11/38 U.S. Cl. 49-505 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to frames or pockets for sliding doors, and it has particular reference to sliding door pockets which are extensible laterally and capable of being installed in a wall structure to accommodate sliding doors of different width dimensions.

OBJECTS AND PURPOSES An object of the invention is that of providing a convenient and inexpensive means for the ready installation of a frame for sliding doors, affording a structure :by which craftsmen having only ordinary skill are capable of installing sliding doors of any lateral dimensions, and with a minimum of diiculty, resulting in substantial economy in such operations.

A feature object of the invention is that of a'ording economical means of packaging the door frames for storage and transportation which is provided for in the unique collapsibility thereof.

Broadly, the invention resides in the provision of a sliding door frame which is capable of lateral contraction and extension whereby any standard sized door can be readily adapted for slidability, and e'asily installed by persons having a minimum of skill in such operations.`

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING While the foregoing objects are paramount, other and lesser objects will become apparent as the description proceeds, when considered in connection with the ap pended drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of a door frame embodying the invention.

FIGURE 2 is an elevational View of the invention in contracted position for storage or transportation.

FIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional view on lines 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 fragmentarily illustrates, in elevation, the extensible lateral or horizontal elements of the invention, showing the aligning indicia thereon.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary sectional view on lines 5 5 of FIGURE 4, and

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view on lines 6 6 of FIGURE 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In its preferred form the invention comprises an overall frame structure 10 adapted for installation in a hollow wall, and consists of a vertical back jamb member 11, a divided intermediate jamb assembly 12, and a face jamb 13 al1 connected across their uppermost ends by a header 14, as shown in FIGURE 1. The intermediate jamb assembly 12 comprises two vertical facing strips 12a and 12b which are spaced apart a distance equal to the width of the back jamb 11 to dene a pocket for a sliding door (not shown) when the jamb assembly 12 is connected to the back jamb 11 by a series of horizontal vertically ICC spaced frame members 15, in the manner shown in FIG- URES 3,5 and 6.

Each of the frame members 15 comprises an assembly of slidably associated bars or slats 16, 17 and 18, as shown best in FIGURES 1, 4 and 5, each of the slats 16 and 17 having a tongue 19 formed longitudinally of one edge and arranged so that the tongue 19 of each is opposed to that of the other. The member 18 has a longitudinal groove 20 in each opposing edge to slidably receive the tongues 19 of the members 16 and 17, in the manner shown in FIGURES 4 and 5.

One end of each of the slats 16 and 17 is nailed to the facing strips A12a and 12b, as shown in FIGURES 4 and 6, their free ends extending toward the back jamb 11, While one end of each of the slats 18 is secured to the jamb 11, their free ends extending between the slats 16 and 17 toward the divided jamb assembly 12, as best illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 4, straps 21 being secured to each of the members 16 and 17 across the members 18 to stabilize these elements in proper alignment. This arrangement is shown in FIGURES 1, 2, 4 and 5.

By reference to FIGURE 4 it will be seen that a variety of standard door widths are indicated by markings 22 along the slats 16 and 17 and along the header 14. Before securing the header 14 to the vertical back jambs 11 and the facing strips 12a and 12b, as shown in FIGURE 4, the frame members 15 are longitudinally adjusted to the proper markings 22 to accommodate the desired door width. The header 14 is cut off accordingly at the desired marking 22 whereupon the face jamb 13 is secured to the header 14 to complete the frame structure, as depicted in FIGURE l.

The frame assembly can be compactly packaged by contracting it, in the manner shown in FIGURE 2, by reason of the telescoping association of the cross-members 16, 17 and 18. In this condition straps 23 are tacked across the facings 12a and 12b, as shown in broken lines in FIGURES 3 and 6, to retain these members in proper position until the frame 10 is installed in a wall. The header 14 and the jamb 13 are arranged between the members 11 and 12, lying along the contracted crossmember assemblies 15.

OPERATION The installation of the frame 10 is a simple operation. When the width of the sliding door (not shown) is determined, the frame members 11 and 12 are adjusted to the required spacing by aligning the marks 24 on the cross-members 18 with the appropriate marks 22 on the companion members 16 and 17, as indicated in FIGURE 4, and secured by nails 25 driven through the straps 21 whereby the frame 10 is permanently fixed in the required adjusted position. The header 14 is then cut off at the mark 22 thereon to provide an opening accommodating the proper width door. The header 14 is then nailed to the tops of the vertical jamb members 11, 12 and 13, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 4.

Wall-board thicknesses may vary according to the particular requirements. A finish strip 26 is provided to be nailed to the vertical facing strips 12a and 12b, as shown especially in FIGURE 6, against which the Wall-board (not shown) i's abutted and nailed to the members 15.

The invention, while described in substantial detail, is capable of certain changes in design and structure without departing from the spirit and intent thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. In an adjustable pocket frame for sliding doors for installation in a hollow wall structure, comprising, a vertical back jamb member, a vertical face jamb member, a header, and an intermediate divided jamb assembly comprising a pair of vertical members spaced laterally to provide a slot for a door slidably mounted in said frame, a plurality of assemblies of vertically spaced horizontal telescoping -frame elements connecting each member of said divided jamb assembly to said back jamb to dene a pocket for said door, each of said telescoping assemblies comprising a pair of upper and lower horizontally disposed and vertically :spaced slats secured at one end to said intermediate divided jamb assembly and having their free ends extending toward said back jamb, an intermediate slat having one end secured to said back jamb and its free end slidably extending toward said divided jamb assembly between said vertically spaced slats, spaced markings on said telescoping assemblies 01 lindicating the width of said door pocket, and means including straps connecting 'said vertically spaced slats across said intermediate slat for securing said assemblies 15 in adjusted positions.

2. In a sliding door pocket frame, as described in claim 1, the said slats in each of said telescoping assemblies having a tongue and groove connection whereby to slidably align said slats in longitudinal relation.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,818,608 l/ 1958 Lawrence 49`372 XR 0 3,049,765' 8/1962 Elmore 49--504 XR KENNETH DOWNEY, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 49-372 

